Gangs in Buffalo part three

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) - All this week at 11, News 4 has been giving you an in-depth look into the growing problem of gangs. Gang activity has become a serious problem in many neighborhoods, and it's left some people feeling like prisoners on their own home.

Seeing a baby in a crib with guns by his side is a disturbing image.

But it's the frightening reality of how gang members live.

Mike Pacific is from the East Gang Investigators Association.

Pacific said, "What we'd like to do is get parents and people who work with kids the ability to recognize the signs of kids beginning to get on that road."

Monica Gardner is more than willing to listen.

Gardner said, "I was concerned about my son because he is in high school and gangs are the new family of today."

The "new families" of today continue to claim young innocent lives.

Drive by shootings on the west side are nothing new.

But even families who are used to this were surprised when it happened in broad daylight.

"Yo tengo mucho miedo porque tengo mis nietos mis hijos tambien y tengo miedo sacarlos afuera a jugar por la ganga que hay."

(Translation: "I'm really scared because I have my grandchildren and my kids too and I'm afraid to take them outside to play because of the gangs.")

"I see the guns sometimes when they pass on the bike, I see the guns they put in the pocket."

Feeling scared and helpless, two women agreed to speak with us as long as they remained anonymous. Buffalo Police tell us they do have options.

Richard Woods (Buffalo Police Department) said, "You can call the tip line. You can also reach out to various people in the community."

But the fear that gang members will somehow find them is a dominating one.

"I'm scared because I know one day they do something to my house."

Juan Luis Tomas Acosta knows the streets as a convicted felon. He says gang members and potential recruits won't listen to just anyone.

So he's established a pre-apprenticeship program for underprivileged and at risk youth.

Juan Luis Tomas Acosta (Urban Community Corporation) said, "By me telling them what I'm doing, how I'm doing it, they can then take what I'm giving them and utilize what's going to be beneficial for them and then cast away the things that they don't need."

Pastor Darius Pridgen tries to teach impressionable children that life is not about instantaneous gain as portrayed by gang members.

Pastor Pridgen (True Bethel Baptist Church) said, "I do it every Sunday in trying to convince young people and adults that patience is a virtue."

The resources are there.

The only question is, will families put their fear to the side and take advantage of them?

"Depende que sea ocultado que no me vaya a pasar nada."

(Translation: "It depends. If it's a hidden program and nothing's going to happen to me.")

Families can also turn to New Directions, a youth and family organization that offers at home services. It's located on Harlem Road in Amherst.